US President George W Bush has warned that the coming weeks and months will be critical for US military strategy in Iraq.
Speaking at the White House, Mr Bush said the 'troops surge' strategy was reaching full strength, but more heavy fighting was expected.
Meanwhile, both houses of the US Congress have passed a bill which releases a budget of $120bn for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The legislation, which had been the subject of bitter debate, was revised following negotiations and no longer mentions a timetable for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.
But Democrats say their political point, that there is no longer a blank cheque for the war, has been emphatically made.
